Monster trucks invade the Citrus Bowl

An R/C Hummer with a GoPro camera attached is pictured next to the monster truck Gravedigger at the Florida Citrus Bowl. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

An R/C Hummer with a GoPro camera attached is pictured next to the monster truck Gravedigger at the Florida Citrus Bowl. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Stephen M. DowellOrlando Sentinel

The Monster Jam at the Florida Citrus Bowl will be one of the best ever, with 16 of the biggest names in monster trucks taking part in this year's competition. The Grave Digger, perhaps the best-known monster truck ever, will be there as part of the trademark truck's 30th anniversary tour.

Preparing the Florida Citrus Bowl for the event is a tedious undertaking. Crews first put down a thick plastic tarp, then place thick rubber mats overlapping over the entire field. Next, more than 300 truckloads of dirt are brought in and spread out one-at-a-time. The process is shown in a time lapse over eight hours one day last week.

Another part of this blog is video from a GoPro camera mounted atop a toy remote control Hummer. I "drove" the toy under and around the Grave Digger truck.

As I shot video of a sneak preview this morning (Friday) of the Grave Digger tearing around the dirt, I was told that there are a few tickets left for the event. It is expected to sell out very soon with around 60,000 in attendance. The Monster Jam Monster Trucks Motorsport Event will be at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando at 7 pm Saturday, January 28.